Who will be joining us as guests for our Top 3 Badasses of Spring? Two of the three badasses will appear in our March educational reports. Actress Tricia Hakenwerth and Director of Photography Leo Tutor. Where can you find our third nominee? On the set and leading the company she was born to run. Badass #3 is Producer/Director Elena Altman, founder of the film production nonprofit: MMTB. Readers are encouraged to find out for themselves what makes local indie producers/directors unique and so we’re staying mum.

Where did SmartyGirlLeadership meet these digital shorts badasses? At badass Make a Film in a Day during Valentine’s Day weekend.

The proofreader only allows badass to be used as a noun twice and adjective once per article so this reporter will change to another descriptor.

How many film races have our Editors done? Three so far: one with Team Tacoma of the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project, another with Director Quan Zhang of UC Berkeley, and Make a Film Day led by MMTB’s Elena Altman.

We Editors would not ask our Readers to do anything that we aren’t willing to do ourselves. Write a novel in one month? Yep, did NANOWRIMO. Seasonal Fitness Challenge? Absolutely, did the Eagal Lakes Run. Digital Shorts for film festivals? Right here beside you. We are in your corner so why not video reply on our YouTube Channel, post your portfolio link and share your Vimeos with us on our SGL Facebook. The “solitary” artist has a league of friends.

Cheetos and churro-waffle-donuts are the new food of love. Conversation hearts? Nah.

Sports Videographers, including one who regularly covers the World Cup, went undercover as Production Assistant

Bi-lingual Spanish/English Writers were awesomely funny in any language when such SmartyFellas double as Sound Operators pulling pranks on the set with the “dead cat” (wind dampener)

3 Fast Facts Social Intelligence Emotional Intelligence

Notice the Fast Facts shrunk from 10 to just 3 compared to the 48 Hour Film Project educational report? That’s what happens at a 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. film race. Time compresses everything from building rapport to learning equipment. Be ready for that agility mentally.

Tension is higher than on the set of the 48 hour shooting and editing schedule. Why? Because brilliant people have strong opinions and racing the sun adds heat to such personalities.

Let go of ego and stay positive as Production Assistant because you are as much “on camera” as anyone else. The behind-the-scenes word of mouth will spread across social media networks and at mixers if you are a douche to anyone.

4 Technical Tips

Leave your camera and tripod at home if you are in a non-camera role as Production Assistant. Too much equipment clutters foot traffic areas. Space and time is at a premium.

Go lean as Production Assistant. Bring your survival minimum in your PA kit. This can mean Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in a vest of bandolier instead of a full backpack. Unless you are filling that backpack with water for yourself and crew. Think about photojournalist Laina Dawes advice about live concerts in the heavy metal pit: don’t take up much space.

Anticipate clogged toilets so be ready to bring hand sanitizer in case you must take care of plumbing. Rectangular packets of facial tissue work well as toilet tissue too.

Show initiative. If you have special skills such as fight choreography, speak up. Believe it or not, Israeli Martial Arts training came in handy for one PA who could contribute to a scene to avoid stereotypes of a “girl catfight”.

SmartyGirlLeadership Media interviewed Caulder Bradford, Owner/CEO of Diverge Creations LLC, for his take on building a deliberate team with a shared vision while bridging the gap between artistry and commercial success.

Last summer readers received an exclusive interview with TED talker Guy Kawasaki on what makes a brand likeable.

This summer SmartyFellas and SmartyGirls are given business leadership tips from edgy, avant-garde, and likeable Caulder Bradford.

So imbibe your favorite non-alcoholic beverage or Harp’s lager and ponder these thoughtstarters from a young but wise CEO.

C: In the beginning I was collaborating with my friend Edmund, who is an artist and game designer, on small, fairly unconventional web games. He’d have the vision and do all the art and I would handle engineering. With those early projects I think it wasn’t so much the core gameplay that was revolutionary but the unique art and the way we implemented our ideas. Ed moved on to create commercial works such as Super Meat Boy and The Binding of Isaac, and I got more into engine and game tech development, and also worked in the mobile and social spaces for awhile, both as a contractor and also as part of several Bay Area startups. I’m now focused on my own projects under the Diverge Creations banner, as well as doing a bit of contracting & consulting for other companies.

How did you build support for you creative game development company?

C:I’m currently the only full-timer. The rest of my awesome team take on other projects 9-5. For some it’s a weekend project, working with me, and that’s totally cool. It’s great to work with talented people in any capacity and see them contribute to a project. So first, I had a clear vision to bridge the gap between art and business. Next, I found like-minded community: talented individuals who also believe being professional is a part of artistic integrity. Lastly, I invited those who were interested and a good fit for the team to join me.

Our team has a shared vision. This doesn’t mean we have the same skill set, and I think we are even somewhat different people in terms of interests, but as a creative force we fit together very well.

How do you communicate with potential funders who don’t understand the technology industry or the gamer artist community?

C: Funders do not have to understand the finer details of graphics engineering or our artistic influences, for example, to participate. Get to know us: what we have created in the past and who we are. We’re self-funded but I would be open to potential investors that trust us enough to stay hands-off from the creative process, and have faith in our ability to deliver a great product.

Can you give an example of sacrifices you’ve made to keep creative integrity?

C: You must decide for yourself what compromises you aren’t willing to make. That may mean declining potential investment offers that would derail the creative vision. As a result this will probably change your development time-frame. It will take longer but you will stay true to yourself and what motivates you.

How do you protect yourself and the indie company brand from burnout?

C: In contrast to some in the indie community who maybe believe it’s necessary to sacrifice a social life to succeed, I’ve found it’s really important for me personally to have at least some semblance of a work-life balance. Of course as the CEO of Diverge, I need to work much more than a 9-5 schedule. But I do take time away from the project to recharge. I do a lot of running, I check out concerts here in SF, work on my car etc. I find this prevents burn-out and keeps me motivated and enthusiastic about my business and my projects.

I make a point to network as much as I can and spend time with other artists & developers. I get inspired by just about anyone who is doing something creative and interesting with their life. I’m creatively influenced by all kinds of different sources, from music to film, literature, history, basically whatever. The idea of the reclusive developer, cloistering himself/herself in solitary confinement and subsisting on ramen isn’t exactly me. As a leader of a creative business you need to decide for yourself what kind of sacrifices are needed, and what you’re willing to do to meet your goals. Is creative control something you feel comfortable bargaining? How about the administrative control of your company? What would you give up for low overhead costs? Does the talent you want to attract require catered lunches? You just need to decide what kind of work you really want to do, and what kind of company you want to run, and then you need to stick to your guns.

What is a fun fact about you?

C: I have a pretty eclectic taste in music I suppose. Heavy metal is probably my main thing, but I like a lot of classical music too. I am especially fond of Wagner, Beethoven and Mozart. Amadeus (1984) is one of my favorite films, although I don’t think it’s too historically accurate…

Follow @caulderbradford for rants and musings, his bizarre Spotify playlist and updates on Diverge Creations’ projects.

Miranda Sings is a YouTube Channel produced by a singer-actress and her creative buddies to parody web celebs who use poor production value without apology. You might be a fan of IndyMogul, one of the many YouTube Channels that provide DIY instruction for creating amateur digital shots with a few pro tips.

Photo Credit: SGL Media Production Student Renee

What’s the secret of special effects, proper lighting and clean audio? Following best practices such as: avoiding video editing transitions that draw attention to itself, compensating for harsh shadow on a subject’s face, and selecting the right mics when shooting raw footage in the field.

SGL Media is expanding into podcasting and YouTube entertainment DIYs. Our roll-out will be gradually over 2014. We accept mp3s and video files content of 2 minutes made by our readership via Dropbox. In other words, send us a Dropbox link to your final product.

Our Editor-in-Chief, Renee Marchol, is being mentored by Palo Alto’s Media Center as a production student.

What are a handful of YouTubers or podcasters who have your respect? Eat Your Kimchi, PBS Idea Channel, and It’s Okay to Be Smart are three of Renee’s favorite shows last year on YouTube. Much like the Summer and Autumn Fitness Challenge, our editors participate along with our blog’s readership. We wouldn’t ask of you what we are unwilling to do ourselves. Yeah, we’re legit like that.

For our Editor-in-Chief, her day job as a web marketing writer (i.e. corporate blogger) puts her in work teams with audio and video experts regularly. After all, content is not just through reading but viewing still images and listening to the soundtrack that accompanies dynamic video. Right?

Therefore, heeding the call of Wired’s Clive Thompson, let’s create some quality content across social media together! That’s right, it’s publishing after all. Yup. You tweet, right? Do you do it regularly? Do you express a point of view and respect your followers by entertaining them? Well, I hate to break it to you but you’ve been publishing digitally.

What’s makes publishing quality different from the alternatives?

1. If it’s blatant advertising, it will tell you so. None of that pretending-to-be-objective.2. Someone is responsible for updating it regularly. An intern, friend or hired guest will show up to deliver content as expected monthly. A coordinator ensures that this happens.3. The tone is consistent. Think of the Oatmeal with a slimmed-down Blerch. No way, right? 4. It obeys journalism rules of giving credit. No stealing. Stealing is d-baggery.5. A group of decision-makers weigh-in on drafts of posts before it airs. Friends who love us will tell us when something is a very bad idea.

All that throat-clearing to lead up to the contest!

What’s this season’s creative challenge? SGL Media is hosting a comedic digital short. The prompt? What if you were given a tin can on a cotton string as a prop? How might you and your friends build a 2 minute story around it? Combine donuts and teleportation. Why donuts? Why not? Our editing team loves donuts. Renee has a weakness for pink sprinkled cake ones.

Pop a mini eclair in one can and have your friend receive it in the next town or overseas. The iCan phone: I can teleport that.

Photo Credit: Production Student Renee at Royal Pin Donuts in South San Francisco Owner Kim & Regular Ted

This contest is in line with business entrepreneurs, web creatives and stand up comedy.Note: SGL Media is not assuming any liabilities for user generated content. SGL Media hosting is limited to selecting the winner of the digital short contest and airing the film across its sponsors social media networks including its YouTube partners. SGL is unable to assist with location waivers, talent permissions, equipment or travel expenses. Instead, we are encouraging readers to team up with existing student production crews, volunteer directors and local businesses for venues. Contest deadline: April 2nd. Winner and 2 honorable mentions will be announced May 7th!

Special thanks to Royal Pin Donuts for allowing permission for Palo Alto Media Student Renee to shoot her humor documentary this week at your location with your team of early-risers.

For someone who has never attended a Maker’s Faire, or spent more than 24 hours with engineers, the experience can be a little like that first sentence. What in the world is the appeal, and why is everyone else laughing? Welcome to the world where crafts are cool, formulas are funny, and science exists outside of third period.

Like its counterparts in many other cities across the country, this year’s Oakland Makers’ Faire put the latest projects of area locals on public display. Hosted at the Park Day School, visitors could pet the goats of the Montclair 4H club, and hear how the members learn to care for them, and prepare them for competition. Close by was the booth for home made fermentation that proudly displayed kits for pickle making and micro-brewing. Blacksmiths and forgers demonstrated their skills and allowed the visitors to participate in the process. Holographs, homemade hula hoops, jewelry made from cake sprinkles, plant displays, a public loom, and cookies baked from a sun powered oven shared space with a Swap-O-Rama sewing station, a yarn making demonstration, a Nerdy Derby wooden car ramp race, a multitude of small robots, and a bitter taste testing station. Who knew that certain genes controlled a tongue’s ability to detect certain pungent chemicals?

Photo Credit: Engineer Tabora East Bay Mini Maker Faire 2013 Mission

These would be the same people that split plant cells for their DNA, or studied one celled organisms for fun, and then have the unmitigated gall to suggest YOU do the same. Throughout every foot of the faire were invitations to join a “workspace,” community lab, or a hackers club dedicated to learning new skills of building, making, inventing, and discovering. Even the provocative sign stating: “Isn’t HACKING a BAD thing?” was clearly designed to involve others in the art of exploring something new.

Speaking of hackers, I took a few minutes to ask some more pointed questions of one group called “The Hacker Scouts.” According to one volunteer and the founder, Samantha (Sam) Cook, this group was designed for children from ages 4 -14to create scientific projects with the help of older mentors. As of this year they have three programs: Sparks for the younger children ages 4-7 starts later this year. Open Lab kids meet twice a month to work on a group project with parents and mentors. The third program, the Guild, is limited in number for kids who work with mentors on a special project of their choice. The mentor helps the child identify their project, what skills will be necessary to complete it, and then assists the child in gaining the knowledge and resources to do it. Some of the projects can take 12 – 18 months to complete, like a robotics project, during which time the mentor commits their time and the Hacker Club’s resources to helping the child accomplish their goal. Sam told me one of her goal in starting this club was certainly to bring this type of education and opportunity to places, like Oakland, where some kids many have limited access to it. But she also said that by stoking the children’s interest in this kind of creative activity at a young age, she could benefit the community by providing adults that had the kind of skills industries crave, like light industrials that burgeon from creative, motivated, and determined workers. For more information please go to: http://hacker-scouts.org

Sam’s mission was encouraging, and fit in perfectly with the mood of the Faire. Watching teenagers and adults furiously shaking jars of cream to make butter, and reading the displays for people explaining how just like them, you, too, could create your own healthy crackers or spirulina, reminded me that not all the first world is bent and determined on consuming themselves into an early grave. Not everyone contented themselves to let others entertain them, or create things for them. Some people really believed that their own brains and determination could develop something they could use every day, and help others do the same thing.

A colleague of mine once told me that while the “Idiots’ Guide” series of books probably had a lot of great information, he could not bring himself to read them because of the title. That’s understandable – the bravado we exhibit as adults still chafes at being called “dummies,” instead of something that loudly expresses our value to the rest of the world, or at very least, those we consider peers. Unfortunately, the first step to solving a problem is admitting there is one. If you can admit that yes, you did have secret desire to invent the next iPod-like sensations, or even something as mundane as figuring out how to mend that silly hole in your sweater’s elbow, but didn’t really know where to begin, there is hope. Yes, you might get called names like “eccentric,” “weird,” or even, gasp, “NERD.” But if you’re willing to persevere, develop a new set of skills, and use them, two things will happen. First, you too can snicker at this article’s first phrase, I ate some pie. And second, you1ll understand why was it so good: Because you have become a Maker.

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